300 March In Celebration Of Acequias

Paula Garcia leading the Rally to the Roundhouse – Photo taken by Eddie Moore, Albuquerque Journal

On Thursday, January 25th 2018 three-hundred farmers, ranchers and advocates marched to the state capitol to celebrate the economic and cultural contributions of acequias. After a beautiful march with shovels and songs led my Dr. David García and Jerimiah Martinez 30 acequia leaders who represent their respective acequia regions were recognized on the rostrum. The Rally was opened by our Sembrando Semillas youth and followed by a moving speech given by Don Bustos. NMAA was honored to have Peter Vigil, District Manager of the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District present about the ongoing revitalization and infrastructure projects being piloted in his district followed by testimonies from Acequia del Monte del Rio Chiquito and the Rio Fernando Revitalization group who have created unique collaborations to get these projects completed. The rotunda was filled with partners, collaborators and other environmental organizations who gathered in solidarity for acequias!